The MacBook Air line-up just got an unexpected RAM upgrade — shop now

The same affordable laptops, with double the memory.
By
Samantha Mangino
 on 
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A person putting a MacBook Air into a backpack
Credit: Apple

Shop new MacBook Air laptops with 16GB RAM

The Apple Store
A 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip

The Apple Store
A 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip

The Apple Store
A 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip



Apple's Mac Week has kicked off with huge announcements of the brands most powerful computers yet. The M4 chip, which we first experienced in the iPad Pro, is now coming to the iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro. But that list excludes one very important device — the MacBook Air. While the Air doesn't appear to be getting the M4 chip this time around, it's getting another crucial update.

The MacBook Airs have long been criticized for their starting memory of just 8GB RAM. The laptops have powerful processing with both M2 and M3 chip options available, however, the puny 8GB RAM starting point has never made the Air a great laptop for creatives. Apple has apparently been listening to the internet's gripes because it finally upped the MacBook Air's starting memory.

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Now, all MacBook Air models start with 16GB of RAM, or as Apple calls it, Unified Memory. The MacBook Air is available witth the M2 and M3 chips, and both versions come in 13-inch models, but the M3 Air is also available in a 15-inch size. Despite the upgrade, the MacBook Air remains Apple's most affordable entry level option, starting at $999. All models now come with 16GB of memory, and are available for purchase at both The Apple Store and Best Buy.

Topics Apple MacBook

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Samantha Mangino
Shopping Reporter

Boston-based Shopping Reporter, Samantha Mangino, covers all things tech at Mashable, rounding up the best products and deals. She’s covered commerce for three years, spending extensive time testing and reviewing all things home, including couches, steam irons, and washing machines. She thoroughly vets products and internet trends, finding out if those cozy gamer chairs are really as comfortable as TikTok claims.


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